Guillermo del Toro announced recently at the 2010 Comic Con in San Diego, Calif. that he is currently developing a film based on Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion for Walt Disney Studios. The famed director has helmed some of the more visually striking films in recent history, including Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth. It will be interesting to see what del Toro can do with such a famous trademark.
From the press release
“Dark imagery is an integral part of the Walt Disney legacy. After all, Disney himself was the father of some really chilling moments and characters – think Chernabog from Fantasia or Maleficent as the Dragon or the Evil Queen in Snow White,” said del Toro. “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of my own adaptation of the original theme park attraction Walt envisioned and that remains- for me- the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world!”
“Millions of people from around the world visit The Haunted Mansion each year, but no one has ever had a tour guide like Guillermo del Toro,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Guillermo is one of the most gifted and innovative filmmakers working today and he is going to take audiences on a visually-thrilling journey like they’ve never experienced before.”
Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion has been chilling guests since 1969. The southern style mansion can be found in New Orleans square, but other versions can also be found at the other Disneyland theme parks located in Orlando, FL., Tokyo and Paris.
